HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to provide a safe setting for one of one patient (patient #1) in that the patient was approached and touched by a visitor that was unknown to the patient.

Findings included:

1) The medical record for patient #1 included that on 11/07/11 at about 1730 she had a visitor in her room that touched her chest and asked if the facility had taken her bone marrow. Patient #1 had surgery that morning and was still receiving morphine. She told the nurse that she did not know the visitor and the nurse told the visitor he had to leave the unit.
2) The investigation report included that security was called and escorted the visitor out of the facility. The local police department was called. The events as recorded in the medical record were confirmed.
3) Facility Policy "Patients Rights and Responsibilities, Every Patient shall have the right to:...A safe environment..."
3) During interviews with the surveyor, the Risk Manager (at 0904 on 12/01/11), the RN (Personnel #3)who noted the events (at 1426 on 12/01/11) and the Facility Manager (at 0955 on 12/01/11) were asked if Patient #1 was approached and touched by an unknown visitor. They confirmed that the incident occurred.